Centrifugal electromagnetic propulsion machine

ABSTRACT

Unilateral linear movement of a mechanism is produced by an apparatus comprising at least two arm members pivotally attached at their inner ends to a main rotary shaft so that as the shaft is rotated the centrifugal force will cause the arms to produce a gyroscopic effect. An electromagnet means attached to the main shaft below the point of attachment of the arms and positioned in fixed relationship to each of the arms attracts a magnet means on each of the arms spaced therefrom by a generally fixed gap during the rotary movement of the arm members whereby when the arms are under the influence of centrifugal force caused by rotary motion the main rotary shaft is raised upwardly to cause unidirectional movement of the mechanism.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Thomas Joseph Sutter, Jr.

8417 South Wayne Ave., Chicago, Ill.

, 60620 [21] Appl. No. 22,240 [22] Filed Mar. 24, 1970 [45] Patented Nov. 2, 1971 [54] CENTRIFUGAL ELECTROMAGNETIC PROPULSION MACHINE 9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[ 52} US. Cl 310/67, 310/157 [51] Int. Cl H02k 7/00 [50] Field otSearch .1 IMO/67,74, 157, 49, 112, 114, 153; 335/306; 74/546, 5.7-, 308/10; 200/80 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,797,080 6/1957 Johnson 200/80 2,780,740 2/1957 Roman 310/67 Primary Examiner-D. F. Duggan Assistant Examiner--R. Skudy Attorney- Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & Simpson ABSTRACT: Unilateral linear movement of a mechanism is produced by an apparatus comprising at least two arm members pivotally attached at their inner ends to a main rotary shaft so that as the shaft is rotated the centrifugal force will cause the arms to produce a gyroscopic effect. An electrom agnet means attached to the main shaft below the point of attachment of the arms and positioned in fixed relationship to each of the arms attracts a magnet means on each of the arms spaced therefrom by a generally fixed gap during the rotary movement of the arm members whereby when the arms are under the influence of centrifugal force caused by rotary motion the main rotary shaft is raised upwardly to cause unidirectional movement ofthe mechanism.

CENTRIFUGAL ELECTROMAGNETIC PROPULSION MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention generally relates to a machine mechanism wherein centrifugal rotary motion and electromagnetic forces are combined to produce an intermittent unidirectional movement. More particularly this invention contemplates a selfcontained means of moving a rotating main shaft in an axial unidirection.

2. Prior Art It is known in the prior art to produce a self-contained means of propulsion which is independent of any outside source to provide lateral thrust, irrespective of the surface of medium along which, or through which, the body is moving. Thus, in the British Pat. No. 770,555 published on Mar. 20, I957, a gyroslip apparatus was provided for moving a spinning hub or other rotator along a line in any chosen direction on the same plane as a centrifugally moving body through the use of a weight or weights pushing or pulling in one direction as the centrifugal means and rotator is spun.

This limitation to movement of the apparatus in the plane of the centrifugal force has many apparent disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome the limitation of lateral movement of the prior art by providing a counterrotating centrifugal electromagnetic propulsion machine to produce vertical as opposed to lateral movement.

According to my invention the vertical propulsion machine comprises a rotary power means affixed at its bottom to the shell of the vehicle being propelled. Any suitable power means such as an electric motor, gas turbine or an internal combustion engine may be used. An upwardly vertically oriented projecting rotary shaft member has its lower end engaging the power means and at its upper end has attached thereto at least a pair of identical arm members. These arm members are attached at the same area of the shaft so that they will be balanced and rotate accordingly. Each arm has an inner end pivotally attached to the shaft member or suitable extension thereof and each shaft extends out generally horizontally from the inner end a fixed distance and then at an elbow structure slopes downwardly to an outer end. Associated with each arm in generally fixed relationship thereto is a vertical magnet means which is fixed to the shaft and acts between the rotating shaft and the arm members to allow the application of electromagnetic force to the arms as they are rotating to move them downwardly toward the shaft against the centrifugal forces acting upon the arms during rotation. The consequent reaction force through the point of pivoting of the arm to the shaft moves the shaft upwardly.

Each of the vertical magnet means includes an upper magnet attached to the underside of each of the arms and a lower magnet fixedly secured to the shaft. The upper and lower magnet portions of each magnet means are separated by a vertical gap which remains fairly constant as the shaft and arms are rotating but which may be closed and caused to be smaller by the energization of the vertical magnet means. At the outer end of each of the arm members there is provided a horizontal magnet means having an inner end pivotally attached to the arm member and an outer end pivotally attached to a suitable support or closure member which turns with the shaft and arms.

Electrical power is provided to the horizontal and vertical magnet means by suitable circuits which have incorporated therein a pulsator means that alternates the electrical power between the vertical and horizontal magnet means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments thereof. taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view with parts in cross section showing the rotating housing member with the rotator and arms therein;

FIG. 2 is an enlargement of the upper portion of the main rotor shaft illustrating the fixed relationship between the vertically oriented electromagnets and the arm members; and

FIG. 3 is an enlargement of the portion of FIG. 1 showing the laterally aligned e'lectromagnets pivotally connected between the arm and the housing edge.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 there may be seen a housing means It] contained within a structure 12 having boundary wall means 14. A motor means 20 fixed to the boundary wall means 14 has a main rotor shaft generally indicated at 22 projecting upwardly therefrom through the housing 10 to a bushing 24 in an upward boundary wall 14. The main rotor shaft 22 is fixed to the housing 10 so that both rotate together. As shown, an upper portion 23 may have an upper end 230 seated in the bushing 24 to stabilize the main rotary shaft 22.

An arm support member 30 is affixed to the main shaft 22 in the area of the shaft extension 23 and has pivotally attached thereto a first arm 32 and a second arm 34 so that rotary motion transmitted by the main shaft member 22 from the motor 20 to the arms 32, 34 will allow the arms to pivot about respective pivot points 33 and 35 on the support member 30. The first and second arm members 32, 34 respectively are constructed of a suitable cross section and of a suitable highstrength material to withstand the very strong centrifugal forces which are generatedby the apparatus of my invention. Each first and second arm 32, 34 has an inner end 320, 340; an elbow area 32 b, 3412 at which point each of the arms assumes a downward slope to an outer end 32c, 34c respectively. The particular bent arm configuration having a horizontally aligned portion of each arm between the respective first end and elbow provides an area to which suitable magnet means generally indicated at 42 and 44 may be attached. Each of the magnet means 42, 44 may comprise an upper vertical magnet portion 43, 45 attached to the underside of the horizontal arm portion and a lower vertical magnet 46, 48 spaced below the upper magnet members 43 and 45 respectively and supported on suitable support members 47, 49. The support members 47, 49 are affixed to the main rotary shaft 22 and rotate therewith keeping the lower magnet portions 46, 48 in generally fixed relation to the upper magnet portions 43, 45 so that when these magnet means 42, 44 are energized the respective upper, lower portions 43, 46 and 45, 48 will be mutually attracted toward each other to provide the advantageous propulsion results as will be explained hereinafter in greater detail,

At the outer end 32c, 34c of each of the first and second arms 32, 34 there is provided a horizontal magnet assembly generally indicated at 52, 54 which comprise in each case a first or innermagnet 53, 55 respectively and an outer or second magnet 56, 58 respectively. Each of the magnet halves 53, 55 is pivotally attached at a pivot means 61, 62 to the outer ends 320, 34c respectively. Likewise, each of the magnet halves 56, 58 is attached to a portion 10a, 10b of the housing 10 by means of pivots points 63, 64 respectively. Each of the opposing magnet halves S3, 56 and 55, 58 have a hollow core 53a, 56a and 55a, 58a, respectively which receive pin members 59, 60 therein to insure that the maximum magnet surface area is always facing each other. As shown each of the magnet halves may have opposing magnet face portions 53b, 56b and 55b, 58b. A suitable electrical circuit schematically indicated at 18 extends from a commuter 18a on the rotating main shaft 22 and extends down each arm to the horizontal magnet means 52, 54 to allow energization thereof. Similarly, an electrical circuit schematically illustrated at 16 extends from a commuter band 16a on the main shaft 22 along the shaft to the first and second vertical magnet means 42, 44 so that these halves 43, 46 and 45, 48 may be energized and attracted toward one another to vary the gap 42a, 440 between the respective electromagnet units. In the case of the circuit 18 the energization of the horizontal magnet halves of the magnet means 52, 54 will likewise draw these members together and thereby vary the gap 52a and 54a.

A pulsator 70 connected in the electrical circuit schematically illustrated at 72 extends between the source of electrical power 17 and the commuters 16a and 18a to alternate the power between the vertical and horizontal magnets at a synchronized rate relative to the load requirements of the apparatus.

A third commuter 74 serves as a base ground connected by a positively charged wire to a variable resistor or current regulating device 76 which in turn in connected to the source of electrical power 17 to thereby regulate current input of all electromagnets in coordinance with the load requirements of the machine. If the motor means 20 is to be operated with electrical power a suitable circuit arrangement 77 including a control 78 may be provided from the power source 17. Each of the commuters 16a, 18a and 74 includes as a part thereofa brush schematically illustrated at 16b, 18b and 74a which affect the electrical connection with the rotating commuters on the main shaft 22.

In accordance with the embodiment herein set out a negative charge is carried by the circuits l6 and 18 to a positive ground schematically designated at each of the magnet means.

An insulating member 220 electrically separates the sliprings or commuters 16a, 18a and 74 from the rotor shaft The construction element indicated at 80 is a schematic representation of the gyroslip apparatus set forth in detail in the British Pat. No. 770,555 and incorporated herein by reference as an example of a counterrotating lateral thrust device whereby horizontal movement may be obtained through a rotating means which also serves to counteract the rotational effect of the apparatus of my invention. Rotation is imparted to the counterrotating element 80 by reversing gears schematically indicated at 82.

In operation the motor means 20 which may be electrical, turbine or a combustion engine prov des the power to rotate the main rotor shaft 22 and its extension 23 to cause the attached first and second arms 32, 34, and the associated housing to rotate therewith. This rotation causes centrifugal force to act upon the first and second arms 32, 34 to cause them to move upwardly about the pivot points 33, 34 whereby the gaps 42a and 44a respectively are increased in size. At the same time the upwardly pivotal movement of the arms 32 and 34 causes the gap 52a and 54a to close. At this point the pulsator 70 is set to activate the circuit 16 whereby the first and second vertical magnet means 42, 44 are energized and the vertical magnet elements 43, 46 and 45, 48 are attracted to each other With the arms 32 and 34 being held outwardly under the force of the centrifugal motion the gap 42a and 44a will be closed by the elements 46, 48 moving upwardly towards the elements 43 and 45 whereby the shaft 22 attached thereto will be moved upwardly to provide thrust to the vertical direction. As the centrifugal force acting upon the arm to separate the two attracting magnet means is a manually controlled variable force, regulated by the rate or speed of rotation of the main shaft 22 to which the arms 32, 34 are connected, it may be increased accordingly, providing a practically infinite amount of centrifugal force. As these magnet means 42, 44 are electrically operated, and the gap separating their mutually attracting surfaces is kept at a close tolerance, the current input of these magnets can be increased to the point whereby a very great amount of magnetic force is created. It must be understood that the number of the arms provided may vary from two upward with each arm having its accompanying magnets. Two arms may be referred to as a set, as they counterbalance each other. An efficient machine should have as many arms as there may be room for within the limits of practicability. Advantageously all arms are to be exactly alike to accomplish the purposes herein set forth, as are all other components of the apparatus that are rotating about the main shaft 22.

Unilateral thrust, or movement if inertia or friction is overcome, will be obtained in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 22, each and every time these magnets means 42, 44 are activated sufficiently to close or make small the gap separating the two attaching magnets. All magnets in a set are to be activated at the same time so that their accumulated thrust diverges and points in the same direction, along the axis of rotation of the main shaft. The thrust accumulated by an arm set will be equal in force with the efforts required to close or make smaller the gap separating the two attracting magnets of that set. The thrust thus obtained will manifest itself only during the time period that the arms are in motion, and in the process of closing the gap separating the two attracting magnet means 42, 44. As these magnet means 42, 44 are to have their axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the main shaft 22 which, as herein set out, will be positioned vertically in relation to the machine at rest, these magnets will provide vertical force. The maximum magnetic force of these vertical magnets can obtain will be equal to the maximum thrust this machine can obtain.

The efficiency of this machine may be increased considerably by reducing the time lag it takes to move the arms back into working position where the gaps 42a and 440 are relatively large. To facilitate this movement to the original position I have added the horizontal magnet means 52 and 54 which it is recognized may not in some instances be necessary. The magnet means 52, 54 are placed at a point along the arm is far away from the axis of rotation of the main shaft as is practical and the core axes of the magnet halves 53, 56 and 55, 58 advantageously is at or close to of arc in relation to the axis of rotation of the main shaft. These magnetic means are of course hinged at opposite ends by pivot means 61, 63 and 62, 64 so that they maintain their magnetic attracting surface area 53b, 55b in a uniformly spaced relationship as designated by the gap 520 and 54a. It will thus be understood that when the horizontal magnet means 52, 54 are energized the gaps 52a 54a will be diminished while at the same time the gaps 42a, 44a will be increased and vice versa. Due to the affect of the horizontal magnet means 52, 54 it will be noted that the reciprocating motion will be of unequal time duration, taking a longer time for the arms 32, 34 to close the gaps 42a, 44a separating the vertical magnets then the time it takes to close the gaps 52a, 54a separating the horizontal magnet means. As a unilateral thrust is developed only during the time the vertical magnets are in motion closing the gap separating their magnetic attracting surfaces, a more efficient machine will be the result of making this time interval as long as is possible. The reason for the unequal time of course is that closing the vertical gaps 42a, 44a is against the centrifugal force of the arms whereas the opening of these gaps is aided by the centrifugal force. To accomplish the alternating of the energization of the vertical magnets 42, 44 and the horizontal magnets 52, 54 I have provided a pulsator 70 that alternates the energy from the power source 17 between the circuits l6 and 18. As shown the horizontal magnet means may be of a smaller size than the vertical magnet means inasmuch as the horizontal force will be aided by the centrifugal action of the rotating arms 32,34.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A centrifugal electromagnetic propulsion machine comprising a rotary power means, an upwardly projecting rotary shaft having a lower end engaging the power means and having at its upward and a pair of identical arm member pivotally attached thereto and adapted to pivot thereabout in a vertical plane as said shaft and arms rotate, a magnet means for each arm member affixed to the shaft and acting between the shaft and the arm to allow the application of magnetic force to the arms to move them downward toward the shaft against the centrifugal forces acting upon the arms during rotation whereby axial thrust moves the shaft upwardly.

2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the vertical magnet means each includes an upper magnet attached to the underside of each of the arms and a lower magnet fixedly secured to said shaft, said upper and lower magnet portions of each magnet means being separated by a gap, said magnet portions rotating in fixed relationship to each other and being energizable to attract each other and close the gap while said shaft and arms are rotating.

3. A machine according to claim 2 wherein each of said arms has a horizontal portion extending in generally right angular relationship to said shaft, a downwardly extending portion of said arm continuing from the outer end of said horizontal portion to an outer end.

4. A machine according to claim 3 wherein an enclosure surrounds said arms and is fixedly attached to said shaft to rotate therewith, a horizontal magnet means having an inner and an outer end, each of said arms having its outer end pivotally attached to said inner end of said magnet means and each of said magnet means having its outer end pivotally attached to said enclosure.

5. A machine according to claim 4 wherein a source of electrical power is provided and wherein a first circuit transmits power from said power source to said vertical magnet means and wherein a second circuit transmits power from said power source to said horizontal magnet means, said first and second circuits having a pulsator means therein alternating electrical power between the vertical and horizontal magnet means.

6. A machine according to claim 5 wherein a counterrotating propulsion device is attached to said main shaft and lies generally in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said shaft whereby it counters the rotational force of the arms.

7. A machine according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of pairs of identical arms are pivotally attached to said shaft.

8. A machine according to claim 4 wherein each of said horizontal magnet means comprises an inner and outer magnet separated by a gap, said magnet members being adapted to be energized to attract each other and close the gap.

9. A machine according to claim 8 wherein said horizontal magnet members have a hollow core receiving a pin therein to maintain the opposed horizontal magnet portions in face to face alignment with a uniform gap therebetween.

IF II II i 

1. A centrifugal electromagnetic propulsion machine comprising a rotary power means, an upwardly projecting rotary shaft having a lower end engaging the power means and having at its upward end a pair of identical arm member pivotally attached thereto and adapted to pivot thereabout in a vertical plane as said shaft and arms rotate, a magnet means for each arm member affixed to the shaft and acting between the shaft and the arm to allow the application of magnetic force to the arms to move them downward toward the shaft against the centrifugal forces acting upon the arms during rotation whereby axial thrust moves the shaft upwardly.
 2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the vertical magnet means each includes an upper magnet attached to the underside of each of the arms and a lower magnet fixedly secured to said shaft, said upper and lower magnet portions of each magnet means being separated by a gap, said magnet portions rotating in fixed relationship to each other and being energizable to attract each other and close the gap while said shaft and arms are rotating.
 3. A machine according to claim 2 wherein each of said arms has a horizontal portion extending in generally right angular relationship to said shaft, a downwardly extending portion of said arm continuing from the outer end of said horizontal portion to an outer end.
 4. A machine according to claim 3 wherein an enclosure surrounds said arms and is fixedly attached to said shaft to rotate therewith, a horizontal magnet means having an inner and an outer end, each of said arms having its outer end pivotally attached to said inner end of said magnet means and each of said magnet means having its outer end pivotally attached to said enclosure.
 5. A machine according to claim 4 wherein a source of electrical power is provided and wherein a first circuit transmits power from said power source to said vertical magnet means and wherein a second circuit transmits power from said power source to said horizontal magnet means, said first and second circuits having a pulsator means therein alternating electrical power between the vertical and horizontal magnet meAns.
 6. A machine according to claim 5 wherein a counterrotating propulsion device is attached to said main shaft and lies generally in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said shaft whereby it counters the rotational force of the arms.
 7. A machine according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of pairs of identical arms are pivotally attached to said shaft.
 8. A machine according to claim 4 wherein each of said horizontal magnet means comprises an inner and outer magnet separated by a gap, said magnet members being adapted to be energized to attract each other and close the gap.
 9. A machine according to claim 8 wherein said horizontal magnet members have a hollow core receiving a pin therein to maintain the opposed horizontal magnet portions in face to face alignment with a uniform gap therebetween. 